Tag Archives: Samples

Sample Samplin’ | December

Sample Samplin December

I’ve got a big stack of empty samples to go through this month. Moving has meant that I’ve had to downsize my collection to only the ones I really want to try so hopefully the next few editions of this post will throw up lots of positives. This month, however, well… it’s a bit of a mixed bag.

Sample Samplin December

First up, a couple of face masks, one I loved and one I hated. Despite it being only 15ml (and me loving a face mask session as well), I couldn’t even finish the Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Rose Face Mask. I’m not a big rose scent fan, but I can bear it if it’s a good product or diluted with other fragrances, but this was neither. Full on ROSE. And full on crap. It does the opposite of what it’s meant to. I found that far from being hydrating, it was extremely drying and actually exacerbated flakiness on my forehead. I also was not a fan of the gel texture. Just wouldn’t recommend it at all.

What I would recommend is the Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask. This is brilliant. It smells like chocolate oranges and comes out of the pump bottle an orange gel which turns into a foam as you massage it onto damp skin. You wait for 5 – 10 minutes while it fizzes up into a full froth on your skin. This fizzing action wakes up the skin and leaves it looking refreshed, healthy and glowing. After I used this I happened to call David on Skype and even he said my skin looked great – unprompted! On Skype! So yeah, everyone needs this wonder product. The full size is £42 though, so, er, sorry ‘bout it.

Sample Samplin December

On to moisturisers and I used up the Julique Calendula Redness Rescue Soothing Moisturising Cream. This was a thick yellow cream with a botanical scent. I didn’t love it, it was just slightly too thick for me and I ddn’t find that it made any effect on my red patches. However, I think it could be good for very dry patches overnight, just probably not your whole face.

Secondly, I used the Urban Veda Purifying Day Cream. This has a strong tea-tree scent so I was worried it would be too drying on my already dehydrated skin. However, it turned out to be great. For a mattifying cream, it was actually quite light. I don’t think that this will be for everyone, but I liked it. And I didn’t get a single spot while I was using it.

Sample Samplin December

Another winner was the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream. It sinks in quickly and instantly brightens dark shadows. I had a good sized sample (7ml lasts ages for the eyes) and I found that it did feel smoothing as well as being hydrating. I also really liked the tube with the thin nozzle for ease of use and control. I would definitely consider buying the full size of this once I’ve used up existing products.

I didn’t get on so well with the Ren Active 7 Eye Gel. The gel formula was nice and cooling on the skin, so great for tired eyes early in the morning. It also has a refreshing scent. But it was a little tacky as it was sinking in. Overall though, it wasn’t unpleasant I just didn’t get a strong impression of it.

Sample Samplin December

Next up, the Origins Modern Friction facial exfoliator. I really liked this as first, but I actually changed my mind half way through. It’s just a little too scratchy for me. But, if you don’t have sensitive skin, it a great option for a good thorough scrub as the granules are densely packed.

Lastly, a wee pod from Paris. Sephora has a rainbow of shower gels and I picked up the Blueberry Creamy Body Wash tester. It was indeed creamy, and lathered up nicely. Wasn’t a huge fan of the blueberry scent as this one was very artificial, but I would be up for trying different scents. I think they’re just a bit of fun but also useful if you’re going to a hotel for one or two nights and want to take something tiny. I’m sure I won’t be able to resist them next time I’m in Sephora.

‘Til next time, happy samplin’.

Sample Sampling | October

Samples

The risk of being addicted to beauty boxes and glossy magazines is that you inevitably end up with a crap ton of samples that you never use. So I’m on a mission to use mine! I have a large cabinet crammed full of skin care stuff (and a box of sachets) but because they’re “tidied away” i.e. out of sight, I do forget to use them. To tackle this I now keep a selection on my dressing table to force me to put them on my face. I’ll also be sharing my thoughts on them – mostly in a bid to help me decide if I want to buy them.

Samples

First up, something I’ve had for an embarrassingly long time – the Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean  Deep Cleansing Milk. This is the kind of cleanser you can really feel working. I can also see it working as it gives me a red face. My face flushes easily so this doesn’t worry me but I do think that they’ve reformulated it to be a bit gentler. It smells like peaches and menthol – very odd but strangely quite nice. Would I repurchase? Yes I would, or I’d at least be happy to see it in the obligatory S&G Christmas gift.

Samples

I actually used up two Vichy products – the Liftactiv Serum 10 Eyes and Lashes and the Liftactiv Serum 10 Youth Enhancing Serum. I didn’t really like either of these. I found that the eye serum balled up on your skin if you applied the teeniest amount too much and took a while to sink in. The Youth Enhancing Serum was better but I didn’t think it was anything special. They’re also really expensive (£24.50 for 15ml of the eye cream and £34.50 for 50ml of the serum) and I don’t think they justify the price tag so I won’t be adding them to the wishlist.

I also had a sample of the Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Moisturiser. Now this I did like. It was light, hydrating, with a pleasant soft fragrance and made my skin feel fab. It definitely lived up to it’s claims of calming sensitive skin as well. However, it is a tad pricey (£36.00 for 118ml) and I must say that I get the same result with The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream which you can usually get at half price. So I won’t be repurchasing immediately, but it’s staying in my mind in case I go crazy and fancy treating myself one day.

Samples

The Elemis Spa Treat Your Feet Foot Cream was included in the British Beauty Blogger Dream Box with Latest in Beauty. This stuff is lovely, it’s thick and pampering and it smells like eucalyptus and lavender so it’s perfect for a little indulgence a the end of the day. I’d definitely pick this up again. It sends me to sleep-town.

Samples

So I only had one sachet of the L’Oreal Skin Perfection Day Moisturiser so I don’t have a lot to say about it, except that I want more! Seemed lovely.

Lastly, a perfume sample. This is the Lacoste Eau de Lacoste Sensuelle. I would have never picked up this perfume as I don’t love the bottle design (I know, I’m a snob) but I actually love it. It’s a slightly spicy evening fragrance but still very sweet, which I like. Would buy this for sure.

And that’s my samples for this month. Let me know if you like this post and what samples you’ve been using up lately. I’ve got some good ones on the go at the moment, but you’ll have to wait ’til next month to find out what they are now!

 

The Fragrance Shop | Spring Discovery Club Box

The Fragrance Shop Discovery BoxWelcome to another installment of Adventures in Subscription Boxes! On Saturday I received two boxes so I’m sharing these today and tomorrow. Today is the turn of The Fragrance Shop’s Discovery Club. This costs £5 (including delivery) and comes out every three months with samples of new perfumes. Normally you get 5 samples, but for the spring box you were treated to an extra 2 – yey!

Fragrance Shop Discovery Box SpringThe booklet gives a good, detailed description of each perfume including a breakdown of the top, heart and base notes. You also get £5 off vouchers for all of the full size perfumes, expect the Loewe aftershave – you get £10 off this one. These last until 30th June so you have a good amount of time to purchase if you wish.

Fragrance Shop discovery club maleTwo aftershaves were included. This is a nice touch and have gone into the BF’s toilet bag so he’s happy. First Loewe Solo Sport, smells really good and fresh, and secondly, Valentine Uomo, a woody, leathery classic masculine scent (and the one we both prefer).

Dicovery Club Spring the Fragrance ShopI was really happy to see Guerlain’s La Patite Robe Noire Couture as this is one that I’ve had my eye on. The bottle is beautiful, Parisian chic and I get sucked in by packaging so this will be a good chance to try it out properly before buying. I’m not a huge fan of Alien, and Thierry Mugler’s new version, Alien Eau Extraordinaire, still isn’t for me but it is a very interesting, fruity yet complex scent.

Fragrance shop discovery Club springI’m not one for rose scents so I’ll probably pass on the Givenchy Very Irresistible L’Eau en Rose. The Ellie Saab L’Eau Couture on the other hand, is more me with intermingling citrus and vanilla notes. Plus the full size bottle has a gorgeous mint liquid and is only £29.99 – this might be the one for me. The Lacoste Eau de Lacoste Sensuelle is  an evening fragrance that manages to balance sweetness and muskiness so I also really love this one. It’s the only sample that comes with a stopper instead of a spray so that’s a bit annoying although it’ll probably last longer.

The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club Spring 2014 boxOverall I’m pretty happy with this little box. I know that not everyone loves perfume samples but I think they can be pretty handy and for getting 7 new fragrances for £5 it’s pretty good and you know what you’re getting with this. I am going to cancel the rolling subscription but I will be revisiting the website in June to see what summer fragrances are on offer in the box.

tomorrow I’ll be reviewing the April Goodie Goodness Box so make sure you check that out. Also, please recommend other subscription services for me to try. I had Birchbox last month and think I’ll sign up for Glossybox next month, but I want moooorrrreeee!!